Need .223 Powder Recommendations

[RangerPark]

I recently started reloading .223 for a Remington 700 SPS Varmint bolt action rifle. The barrel is 26" and has a 1:12" twist. So far I've been having some success with Hornady V-MAX 55 gr and CFE223. With 25.5 grains powder, Federal cases and CCI400 primers, it consistently shoots 1/2 MOA but it's a bit slow at 2975 FPS. Anything faster and the groups open up.

I'm almost out of CFE223 and would like to know what you folks would recommend for other powders. Ideally I would be able to keep the same accuracy and bring the speed up around 3200 fps.

As a bonus, it would be nice if the powder would also perform well in .308. Hodgdon's website shows good .223 speeds with Varget. Has anyone here had success in .223 with powders more commonly used in .308 like Varget and IMR4064? Also bonus points if it's commonly available in 8 lbs containers.

Please fire away with your suggestions.

 

[Keithjohn]

I use h335 and benchmark for light bullets , I tried varget for 69gr SMK and liked it for that

 

[Ariu]

IMR 4895 is a versatile powder and it can be used on both calibers.

 

[Uisge]

IMR 4895 for me too

 

[Breaker61]

I have used 25.5 gr.s of Varget under a 55 gr. v-max with good success.

 

[Hitzy]

Varget...

 

[IvoB]

H322 1 inch groups at 200 yards same twist (12) barrel

 

[Rossiter93]

Imr 4895

 

[bearhunter]

Blc2

 

[WolfyW]

Can confirm H322 as well using same twist rate, but my sweet spot was also around 3000 fps. Same thing using Reloader 7.

 

[rosconow]

I have a sps in .223 but with a 1/9 20" barrel. So that being said, what works for me, won't necessarily work for you.

Varget with 75 gr hpbt, h335 & imr 4895 with 55 gr pills.

 

[K-C]

IMR 4895 for both calibers

 

[Curly1]

IMR3031 good for 223 and 308 as well as many others.

 

[Mount Sweetness]

H4198

 

[RangerPark]

A big thank you to everyone who responded. I'm currently using IMR 4064 in .308 and the hot Alberta summer has created some temperature sensitivity problems for me. What grouped .4 MOA last fall is barely doing MOA now. I'll be trying Varget in .308 and will also run it in .223 and see what happens. Should it not work so great I've got plenty of suggestions to go from, IMR 4895 being at the top of the list for now.

 

[Rich the Butcher]

Are you adverse to using lighter projectiles? I have a Winchester M70 with a 1:12 twist as well. 55grain Hornady v-max projectiles could, occasionally, group well but with little consistency. I since switched to 40gr Nosler Ballistic tips over 25gn of Varget...the result was 5 shots...3 holes. I have tried various powders, including 4895 and 4064, varget has by far been the most accurate and consistent in my 223, from 30 degree summer to picking off yotes in January. BTW, this load is giving just over 3300fps.

 

[Winchester-1897]

H4198

yes ^^^^^^^^

 

[woofer2609]

25 gr of h335

100m from a $250 bone stock Ruger American

 

[mad max78]

XBR 8208 and N530 are my go to powders for the 223

 

[jzz30tt]

Ramshot Tac does both .223 and .308 well